New phone, sick in Japan, fixing computers...

My email time today started with fixing the two computers. There are two computers here in the copy room for Family Search, but we use it for emails. The computers have been sick the last few days. The one on the left has an incompatible monitor so sometimes it doesn't realize the computer is actually sending information. Yep, so I played around with that one. The other computer was taken and reformatted, so it was supposed to be working. But the user name I used to log in didn't have Internet privileges, which took me a while to figure out since everything is in Japanese. I told my computer to read it, and then I clicked on things. We were a good team. I ended up figuring out the other user name. These passwords aren't very secure if I could do it all in Japanese. Actually, there is a post-it with the user name and password right on the printer next to the monitor. My college teachers would have had a fit. But it was good to see that I can still fix computers even in Japanese.


The big news of the week is that we all got new phones! Yes, I think I mentioned it before. It's way cool looking. Then a few days later we got a text from the Japan Area office that told us to download this application. It's a GPS map for our phones. Well, we found out a few days after that that we aren't allowed to use it, until they can work it all out and stuff, but before that I spent two language studies and
1 1/2 lunches translating it all into English. It really brushed up on my Japanese Kanji writing skills. Good think my electronic dictionary has a kanji pad, huh? That is a good 200 dollars right there. Anyway, now all my work is for naught, but I plan on still giving it to the mission president when I see him next transfer at Zone Conference.

Speaking of, Transfer calls is Wednesday, so please send my Christmas package to the mission office. I have a feeling I will transfer.  Here's my thinking, which isn't really based on much. My companion and I have learned how to get along with each other but it's still really hard. We need a change I think. This past transfer pushed Takahama Shimai into depression, so I don't think she can handle another transfer. Therefore I think I will transfer. Anyway, if I'm with her for a whole other 6 weeks I will have to re-humble myself and start praying for more charity. Phew. We'll see if my personal revelation is true or not the day after tomorrow.

In other news, I would like to know world news. I heard that North Korea shot a missile. But that's all I know. How's the American economy? Anymore car companies die? Are there still troops in the Middle East? I honestly think that the 2nd coming could happen and I would be totally oblivious. No joke. Also, could you log into my Facebook and make it so people can search for me. Still block that other people can't read my wall and stuff, but I want to be searchable so these Japanese people can find me. Okay, thanks.

Mom, here are my measurements. Please don't put them on the web.  That would be embarrassing, even for me.

(redacted for national security and personal embarrassment issues)

let me know if I forgot to measure something. Ha ha.

Dad, I can't believe you took over someone's practice. (editor's note:  only for about 3 minutes) But then again I'm not surprised. Yesterday after church there was a music practice for the ward Christmas party. We are singing some song I've never heard of before. The lady in charge doesn't really know what she's doing, but she does it with a smile and with love. Then there is this one sister who was visiting from some other ward way up north. She walked into the room and claimed privilege that she is the stake music chairman back from where ever she is from. Then she just kinda took over, in the Japanese way that I wish I could explain. After the short rehearsal I gave the sister that was supposed to be in charge a big hug and just said, I just wanted to tell you that you're wonderful. I hope you at least took over with more tact than this sister who was visiting. It was ridiculous.

This week I caught a cold. Which isn't a huge deal if you're in America, but is like the end of the world in Japan. Everyone is like 'Are you okay?' in the most concerned face. It's flattering the first hundred times, it's the second hundred I have a problem with. Anyway, I wasn't feeling well on Saturday, so I laid down for a nap. When I woke up an hour later my throat was so tight I could hardly swallow.

So we went to the nearby drug store to get some medicine. I told them my symptoms and they recommended me some drugs. I read the ingredients the best I could (it's weird Japanese). It's ibuprofen, and vitamin B1, vitamin C, and such. So I bought it. Later in the apartment I translated the other 7 ingredients. Japanese people really have a magic pill complex. And here I thought American was bad. As I was translating I stumbled across 'Dihyro codiene'. Yes, there is codeine in their cold medication! No wonder it made me a little bit drowsy. Ha ha. I also wore a sanitary mask around the apartment since my companion thought I was contagious. But since I'm American and think the sanitary mask is a little bit silly, I drew a face on it. Ha ha. I will send a picture soon.

Okay, I think that's it for now. I plan on buying Christmas stuff today. We're going to Daiso. Yay! I wonder if they take credit card at the dollar store.

Other pictures...

the smallest apple I've ever seen.  Try not to focus on me in that picture.  I was not having a pretty day.

Saiya-chan.  Or should I say Lemmon Shimai.  She's the daughter of our new investigator.

The random structure at Heiwadai park.  I couldn't find any information on what the building was, but maybe a tomb for some old emperor or something?  Anyway, we went with our new investigator.

Love,

Your favorite daughter